CARLTON veteran Dale Thomas needs to work on his consistency in the VFL to win a spot back in the senior side, coach Brendon Bolton says.
Thomas, who turns 30 in June, was left out of the side that lost to Port Adelaide last Friday night by 90 points because of what the club said was soreness.
While the Collingwood premiership player did not play at any level last week, he will line up for the Northern Blues on Sunday afternoon against Coburg at Piranha Park.
"One thing about 'Daisy', it's a little bit similar to us as a team, we've played some really good football in patches but been a little inconsistent," Bolton said at Ikon Park on Friday.
"'Daisy' would be the first to admit, like us, he's been a little inconsistent. He'll go back and work extremely hard."
Bolton denied the 2011 All Australian was dropped for the clash with the Power.
"'Kreuz' (Matthew Kreuzer) missed last week and so did 'Daisy'. They didn't play at all. We'd come off the back of a couple of six-day breaks and a game in the wet," Bolton said.
Bolton confirmed skipper Marc Murphy (knee) and star midfielder Bryce Gibbs (left thumb) would face Sydney on Saturday afternoon at the MCG.
Both had scans after facing the Power. Murphy's concern is cartilage-related but there is no structural damage, while Gibbs' issue relates to a tendon injury suffered a few years ago.
They will be needed against a Sydney outfit that will be desperate to rebound from its 0-5 start to the season after making a Grand Final last year.
"We know they're a really proud footy club and they've got some really strong contested players in and around the contest, and up forward they've got some firepower," Bolton said.
"They're proud, as we are, as a footy club. We expect a pretty fierce contest."
Swans superstar Lance Franklin has booted at least four goals in each of his past eight meetings with the Blues.
Andrew Phillips, Jarrod Pickett and Cameron Polson have been dropped, while defender Harrison Macreadie was rested.
"In this competition it would be incredibly difficult for first-year players – the odd one does it – to play every game of the season. We have really tight measures to monitor that, and just this week for example, we're managing Macreadie," Bolton said.
"He's been going OK, but to play all games in your first year is a tough ask."
Kreuzer, Nick Graham and Billie Smedts return, while Alex Silvagni will play his first game for the club.
Silvagni's second cousin is Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni, whose son Jack will run out alongside Alex.
Stephen Silvagni's father Sergio played 239 games for the Blues and is a legend in the club's hall of fame.
"It's another little connection to our history," Bolton said.
"He (Alex Silvagni) may have played earlier in the year if it wasn't for a few injuries in the pre-season. He's a real competitor and we think he'll add to our defence."
